About Us

The Pennsylvania State College's Hazleton Undergraduate Center was established in 1934 in various locations in Hazleton. A permanent home came in December 1948 when, through a donation and purchase, the university obtained 26 hilltop acres in Sugarloaf Township that for nearly 25 years had served as the residential estate of local coal baron Eckley B. Markle. Known as “Highacres,” the site consisted of four buildings that gave the college the space it so desperately needed.

Markle’s fieldstone mansion quickly became the administration building and, at various times during its life, has housed offices, classrooms, library, health services, a kitchen and a dining room.

Today, the administration building is the most recognized Penn State Hazleton structure, serving as one of the symbols of the campus. In 2014, it was renamed Pasco L. Schiavo Hall in recognition of a longtime supporter of Penn State Hazleton who donated $1 million to create a scholarship endowment for Penn State Hazleton students.

The island in the semi-circular driveway of Pasco L. Schiavo Hall is the home to another Penn State icon - the Nittany Lion statue, a three-fourth’s scale replica of the original at University Park.

Through gifts and purchases, Penn State Hazleton now consists of 125 acres of land, with the historic structures standing side-by-side with new and modern academic buildings, a manicured garden, a scenic overlook/picnic area and a number of nature trails. All of these features give Penn State Hazleton its very special character.

Academic Offerings

Penn State Hazleton offers the first two years of more than 160 Penn State majors. Students can then transition to University Park or another Penn State campus to complete their degree. Additionally, eight baccalaureate degree programs and five associate degree programs can be completed at Penn State Hazleton.

Other Degree Programs

The Office of Continuing and Distance Education offers credit and non-credit programs for professional development and/or career changes. Individuals may increase knowledge and enhance skills through independent study, conferences, seminars, microcomputer workshops and certificate programs (i.e., Webmaster, Paralegal, Production Management, etc.). The Continuing Education office also offers a wide range of workforce development programs, including management development and technical training for local business and industry.

the Evelyn Graham and Kostos Academic Buildings, which together house state-of-the-art multimedia style classrooms, an amphitheater, computer and science labs, and study areas;

the Highacres Food Court, which offers a variety of convenient and affordable meal plans for both on- and off-campus students;

the physical education building, containing free-weight, Cybex and aerobic rooms; main and auxiliary gyms and an Olympic-sized swimming pool;

outdoor playing fields for tennis, beach volleyball and basketball, along with a full-sized, illuminated soccer/softball field; and

the campusbookstore, located on the campus mall, which sells textbooks, related course materials and school supplies, in addition to health and beauty aids, snack items and a variety of Penn State clothing, souvenirs and other memorabilia.

Student Life

Students have the opportunity to participate in more than twenty clubs and organizations covering a broad range of interests, such as the Student Government Association, multicultural club, dance clubs, Science and Engineering Club and THON, to name a few. Each is housed in the Charles T. Butler Teaching and Learning Resource Center.

Recreational and cultural opportunities also abound at Penn State Hazleton, with the ski resorts and other outdoor attractions of the Pocono Mountains just a half-hour away, and New York and Philadelphia a simple two hours to the east and south, respectively.

Varsity athletic sports teams and a wide variety of intramural sports are offered according to the interest level of students. Students can play basketball, volleyball and street hockey at the outdoor multi-purpose sports court near the residence halls.

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